Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Sold by HighTower Advisors LLC

Key Points

• HighTower Advisors reduced its Union Pacific stake by 1% in the second quarter, selling 7,075 shares and retaining 708,990 shares valued at approximately $192.8 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.38% of UNP.
• Union Pacific reported quarterly EPS of $3.41, exceeding estimates of $3.26, while revenue rose 11.5% year over year to $6.86 billion.
• The company increased its quarterly dividend from $1.38 to $1.42 per share, equivalent to a 2.0% annualized yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $320.89.

HighTower Advisors LLC decreased its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 1.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 708,990 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 7,075 shares during the quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC owned about 0.12% of Union Pacific worth $192,845,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Cambient Family Office LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at $1,319,000. First National Bank of Omaha boosted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 35.8% during the 4th quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 54,635 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $12,665,000 after purchasing an additional 14,399 shares during the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $4,746,000. Sage Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $997,000. Finally, National Pension Service increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. National Pension Service now owns 1,316,496 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $304,532,000 after acquiring an additional 15,785 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of UNP opened at $289.54 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $172.01 billion, a PE ratio of 23.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $315.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.99. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $293.96 and its 200-day simple moving average is $271.00.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The firm's revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.03 EPS. Analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a $1.42 dividend. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. This is a boost from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is currently 45.99%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNP has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Susquehanna lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $310.00 price target (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Citizens Jmp assumed coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $350.00 price target for the company. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Evercore reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $294.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, June 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $320.89.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation NYSE: UNP is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services.

Union Pacific's core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western two‑thirds of the United States.

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